Hansard

I am pleased to open for Labour in today’s debate.

I am glad that the bill will introduce a regulatory and licensing system for district and communal heating, which is something that we have repeatedly called for and supported. It surely makes sense that heat network consumers should be afforded the same service standards and protections as consumers of the gas and electricity markets.

I am also glad that the bill has been strengthened in scope through the various stages of amendments, and I hope that the bill can be used as a good starting point for the expansion of heat networks—and the benefits, in return—for everyone in Scotland.

I am pleased to see a delivery plan and targets in the bill, particularly given the successes of district heating schemes across Europe and around the world, and the opportunities that they have created. I am sure that we all hope to work towards similar successes, here in Scotland.

Heat networks can use a variety of heat sources that have varying degrees of carbon intensity. They are often more efficient than individual fossil fuel heating systems, and can also be run fully from renewables, recovered waste or surplus heat sources. We have a target to reduce Scotland’s emissions of all greenhouse gases to net zero by 2045; heat networks will surely have a role to play in achieving that.

In its briefing for the debate, WWF highlights that

“Currently a quarter of emissions come from buildings and changing the way we heat our homes will be a key part of”

the drive towards net zero. WWF goes on to say that

“Heat networks also represent an economic opportunity to support thousands of jobs in construction, which will be a key part of a just transition and green recovery”,

which I hope is the case.

One of the major takeaways should be that the bill is an opportunity to create jobs and local supply chains here in Scotland for the Scottish manufacturing sector. The Scottish Government climate change plan update states that investment in heat networks

“will provide high quality, sustainable green jobs across Scotland’s towns and cities, such as in specialist design and architecture, equipment manufacturing, civil engineering and maintenance.”

The bill is an opportunity, and I hope that the Government manages to deliver on it. As I said only a few weeks ago during the debate on a green recovery,

“if we are to focus on establishing a greener economy, we must absolutely prioritise the development of skills and jobs.”—[Official Report, 9 February 2021; c 69.]

However, the assurances that are needed from the Scottish Government are commitments to ensuring that jobs are created here in Scotland, not shipped overseas, and to providing adequate funding to realise the potential from a massive expansion of heat networks in Scotland.

The Scottish Government has said that around 50 per cent of homes and non-domestic buildings will need to convert to a low-carbon or zero-carbon heating system by 2030. Heat networks will obviously play a key role in meeting that target, and where we can, we will support the Government in its attempts to deliver on that commitment.

As WWF states,

“To reach the scale of output needed, there will need to be a quick ramping up of action, supported by increased capital funding.”

Such action can be taken now, so I would welcome a further outline from the Government on how it will deliver training and apprenticeships in order to develop the new and updated skills that will be needed to fully meet the aims of the bill once it becomes law.

The minister and the Government have worked across the parties on the bill. There is a real commitment to making it happen, so I am delighted that we are progressing towards passing the bill today.